If God's people . . . conclusion

Do we have our verse for this week memorized yet? It's a great one to commit to memory . . .

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (II Chronicles 7:14)

We've focused this week on being a people of prayer, and a people of sacrifice. The last key in this verse is to be a people that repent of our sins, to "turn from our wicked ways." How do we live righteous lives? We live in God's way, following His Word, and we have a concern for others that moves us to take action!

Many of our familiar verses point us toward righteousness.

Blessed is the one    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take    or sit in the company of mockers, (Psalm 1:1)

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14)

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)

Do we think of righteousness as a less important priority? God tells us that we need to pay attention to this. We need to turn from, to repent from our sins.
Then we can be influences on those whom our lives touch each day. And we will receive the blessings promised in our focus verse: He will hear our prayers, and forgive our sins, and heal our land.

Some of us may remember when the Forestry Service in America put an all out campaign together with a mascot named "Smoky the Bear." Smoky's message to all who would listen was that it only takes a tiny spark to set a forest ablaze.
In the same way, one person can make a difference in a family, in a church, in a neighborhood, and in a country. We need to be giving the life-changing message of Jesus to our world.

Will we change our lives? Will we change our land?